Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in the U.S. and worldwide. Most patients who develop lung cancer have a history of smoking cigarettes. However, about 1 in 10 lung cancer patients has no history of direct tobacco exposure. A majority of these patients are women and have a subtype of lung cancer with adenocarcinoma histology. It is believed that that these “never smokers” may have genes that predispose them to lung cancer. No such genes have yet been identified.

The purpose of this study is to determine if collecting information and blood from a group of people who never smoked but who have lung cancer is possible across the U.S.

Researchers will collect information on each patient’s diagnosis and treatments. If the collection is successful, blood samples will be used for so-called “whole genome association studies” to look for differences between the genomes of never smokers with and without lung cancer. This may help to identify new genes, which may explain and predict why certain patients develop lung cancer without having smoked tobacco. This is the first step to establish strategies to prevent lung cancer or find people who are at high risk for this disease.

I’m Too Young For This! Cancer Foundation (i[2]y) is a pioneering, survivor-led, advocacy, support and research organization, working exclusively on behalf of survivors and care providers under the age of 40. Its mission is to end isolation and improve quality of life for young adults affected by cancer.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Matthew Zachary

Mr. Zachary is a concert pianist, composer and 12-year survivor of pediatric brain cancer. He was diagnosed in college while en route to film school to study composition, and he was told he'd never perform...read more